Latest news and live updates as six Israelis are set to be released in exchange for Palestinian detainees and prisoners as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.

Hamas is in the process of releasing six Israeli hostages in Gaza – the final living captives whom the warring sides agreed would be released when a ceasefire began last month.

Hamas has handed over to the Red Cross the first two of six Israeli hostages due to be freed Saturday under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The two hostages -- Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39 – were put into Red Cross ambulances after being brought out onto a stage by masked and armed Hamas fighters in front of a crowd in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39 – were put into Red Cross ambulances after being brought out onto a stage by Hamas fighters.

Hamas is set to free six more Israeli hostages Saturday from the Gaza Strip, but the exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners is shadowed by heightened tension between the adversaries that clouds the future of the fragile ceasefire deal.

Item 1 of 14 Israelis sit together as they light candles and hold posters with the images Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, seized during the